184351Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
In 1806 an act of the Virginia General Assembly established the Rivanna Company in order to improve the navigation of the Rivanna River between Milton and Charlottesville . This section of the river included property owned by Jefferson. After receiving title to this tract under his father ’s will, he spent many years and thousands of dollars building a canal, mills, and a dam along the Rivanna...
184352Address from the Inhabitants of Marblehead, 16 March 1789 (Adams Papers)
the Inhabitants of Marblehead in Common with their fellow Countrymen have ever felt Strongly impressed with Sentiments of gratitude and satisfaction for the eminent Services rendered by you to the United States of America. in all their foreign Negotiations, which have been Committed to your Charge, in considering the result of those Negotiations we find Ourselves under Very peculiar...
184353Creation of the National Capital, 6 April 1791 (Editorial Note) (Madison Papers)
In the 1790 legislative skirmish over the national capital, JM led the fight for the Potomac site, but once that battle was won the executive branch took charge. Thereafter, JM was not officially involved in planning the new federal district. His interest, however, never flagged, and he was frequently consulted from the summer of 1790 onward (Memorandum on the Residence Bill, ca. 29 Aug. 1790,...
184354Extracts from Destutt de Tracy’s Reflections on Montesquieu’s First Twelve Books, [ca. 12 June 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
nous trouvons dés le livre second que les gouvernemens viennent tous Se ranger dans deux classes, Savoir ceux qui Sont fondés Sur les droits généraux des hommes, et ceux qui Se pretendent fondés Sur des droits particuliers . Montesquieu n’a pas adopté cette division. Il classe les gouvernemens d’après la circonstance accidentelle du nombre des hommes qui Sont les depositaires de l’autorité: et...
184355Introductory Note: From George Washington, [14 July 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter contains the first mention in Hamilton’s extant correspondence of the question of who was to serve directly under Washington in his capacity as “Commander in Chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised, in the United States.” When Washington wrote this letter, he assumed that Congress would pass “An Act to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes,” which...
184356Enclosure: [Account with Le Guen], April 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
April 1800. Compte a Monrs Burr Pour Onoraire jusqua Ce jour $2500. Plus fait Compte de Son ordre a Mr. Green 250. Compte D’Interet Sur Dollars 11200 ce que jai avancée En trois Sommes differentes et divers Epoques depuis Le Mois de Juillet et Aout 1798 au 15 avril 1799 Pour 8 mois a raison de 7⅌% 522.66/100 Interet d’un An Sur Cette de 13200 dollars 924. Dollars...
184357Operating under the Continental Boycott Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
By the late summer and early fall of 1775, the regulation of American trade under the association of the previous year preempted a heavy share of debating time in the Continental Congress. According to the terms of the association, imports from Great Britain and Ireland were to cease after 1 December 1774, while exportation of goods from the colonies was to end in September 1775. The problems...
184358From Benjamin Franklin to [Hugh Roberts], 27 February 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I receiv’d your kind Letter of Nov. 27. You cannot conceive how much Good the cordial Salutations of an old Friend do the Heart of a Man so far from home, and hearing frequently of the Abuses thrown on him in his Absence by the Enemies that Party has rais’d against him. In the meantime I hope I have done even those Enemies some Service in our late...
184359Editorial Note: Annual Message to Congress (Jefferson Papers)
On Monday, 7 Dec. 1801, the opening day of the first regular session of the Seventh Congress, a joint committee consisting of Joseph Anderson and James Jackson of the Senate and Samuel Smith, Roger Griswold, and Thomas T. Davis of the House of Representatives called on the president to report that both houses were “ready to receive any communications.” Jefferson had already decided that his...
184360From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [February–March 1766] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society There is a brown Paper Packet for you directed but contains chiefly a Letter and Parcel of News papers for Billy, which pray send to him directly. I mean the Newspapers. You need not indeed open the Pacquet, if it were not to take out a Letter or two for Neighbour Sumain, and the Beans. But pray send him up the Papers directly before they are...
184361The Commissioners Defend the Treaty Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Livingston followed his letter of 25 March 1783 criticizing the conduct of the American commissioners with a dispatch of 14 April to John Adams in which he implied that Congress had ratified the preliminary articles and agreed to release its prisoners. This letter, received on 15 June, was the first news of Congress’s response to the preliminary treaty to reach the commissioners. Livingston’s...
184362Receipt to the Trustees of the American Iron Company, 30 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, May 30, 1799. “I have receiv’d a deed from Peter Goelet & other Trustees of the American Iron Company. I certify that the fourth or last installment of the Purchase money with Interest remains to be paid, which will pay on demand. New York, May 30, 1799. Alexr Hambleton.” Receipt not found. ] This receipt is quoted in, and has been taken from, Goelet to Robert Troup, August 19,...
184363Introductory Note: To Rufus King [13 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
This letter marks Hamilton’s initial involvement in a protracted and acrimonious dispute between Rufus King and John Jay on the one hand and Edmond C. Genet on the other. Briefly stated, the controversy centered on whether Genet on July 6, 1793, at the height of the crisis over the sailing of the Little Sarah , had or had not told Alexander J. Dallas that “he would appeal from the President to...
184364Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Until comparatively recent times the valor of naval crews was stimulated by the prospect of a share in the proceeds of enemy vessels and goods captured as prize. The complicated questions of property and the law of war which this system of hazard pay produced were adjudicated in every country by special tribunals, administering a more or less common body of international law. From its...
184365Enclosure: Schedule A, [9 January 1790] (Hamilton Papers)
SCHEDULE A Supposititious Statement of Accounts Between the United States and Individual States. States. Ratio. Balances due to the states respectively. Proportion of each state of the aggregate of those balances according to the ratio. Balances against certain states. Balances in favor of certain states. Proportion of each state in the aggregate of the balances against certain states....
184366Editorial Note: Jefferson’s Reports of Balloting in the House of Representatives (Jefferson Papers)
On 12 Feb. Jefferson sent copies of Thomas Paine’s Compact Maritime , newly printed from manuscripts received in January, to eleven of his friends in Virginia. He accompanied at least some, and presumably all, of the pamphlets with brief letters, written at 7:00 a.m. and updated in a postscript at 1:00 p.m. , in which he gave a succinct account of the progress of voting in the House of...
184367Introductory Note: From Philip Schuyler, [31 August 1795] (Hamilton Papers)
The opening paragraph of this letter contains the first reference in Hamilton’s extant correspondence to a series of business transactions in which he was to be involved for several years as the representative of Schuyler and certain other New Yorkers. When Schuyler wrote this letter, he believed that he, Barent Bleecker, Edward Goold, and William Greene had a claim to a portion of Cosby Manor...
184368To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
Believing it essential to the happiness of every Community that each Individual should aid in promoting the Public Good, leads me, without apology to submit the following Suggestions: Of Primary Importance to this Country, in order to securing its Peace & Prosperity, is the Balance of Trade. One Means to obtain this, is, our own Manufactures. Of these, the most essential are, every article...
184369To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [4 December? 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with ms insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Associates of Dr. Bray, for establishing Parochial Libraries, and instructing the Negroes in the British Plantations, meet on Thursday the 4 Day of December at Ten o’Clock, at their Office at the Angel and Bible, in Ave-Mary Lane. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin Near / The Strand For the Associates of Dr. Bray, a...
184370Instruction to Virginia Delegates in re Contracts, 4 and 7 June 1783 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Resolved that the Delegates representing this State in Congress be instructed to take proper Steps for procuring and transmitting to the Executive of this State copies of all Accounts and Vouchers relative to disbursements and Contracts made with the Individuals of this State by any person acting under the authority of Congress in order that a proper inquiry may be...
184371Editorial Note: The Virginia Constitution (Jefferson Papers)
The three drafts of Jefferson’s proposed bill outlining the “fundamental constitutions of Virginia,” here brought together for the first time, are so important in the light they cast upon Jefferson’s early ideas of government and upon the drafting of the Declaration of Independence that they require special comment and a particular form of presentation. Each of the three drafts printed below...
184372To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 12 July 1766 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your kind letter of May the 9th by the Packet, for which I am much obliged, and observe what you say as to the Accounts; but, as you are pleased to express your Satisfaction, with respect to my Desire of settling every thing right, and my Sentiments are exactly the same as to you, we can not, as you remark, have any Difference:...
184373Endorsing Independence and Supporting Washington Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
By the time the Fourth New York Congress made a quorum at White Plains on 9 July, the Continental Congress had already acted on independence, and the first order of business for the New York legislature was consideration of a letter from their delegates in Philadelphia enclosing a copy of the Declaration of Independence. John Jay drafted the committee report on the Declaration, which was...
184374To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
On 12 Mch., Robert R. Livingston began a letter to the president that reported on his activities in general terms, mentioning his efforts to influence Napoleon Bonaparte about Louisiana, his discussions with the Spanish ambassador concerning the Floridas, and French attitudes toward the United States and Great Britain. The next day, a Sunday, Livingston interrupted his writing to attend an...
184375Editorial Note: The Northern Journey of Jefferson and Madison (Jefferson Papers)
Long before Hamilton’s friend Robert Troup made this observation he had become convinced that the enemies of the Secretary of the Treasury were resolved to defeat his policies by destroying him politically. He saw this danger most ominously manifested in the southern states, particularly in Virginia. Now, as Jefferson and Madison paused in New York City at the beginning of their northward...
184376Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 8 April 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, April 8, 1791. On May 3, 1791, Nathaniel Appleton wrote to Hamilton : “Your circular Letter 8th April is received.” Circular not found. ]
184377From Benjamin Franklin to Rudolph Erich Raspe, 21 July 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Landesbibliothek, Kassel I had a Bill on Messrs. Michael David, & Fils, for 526 ⅓ Reichs Thalern. I receiv’d 50 Ducats in Specie, and a Bill on Franckfurth for 134 Ducats, making in all but 184 Ducats. I request the Favour of Monsr. Raspè to speak of it to Monsr. David, and to get the Mistake rectified, receiving and retaining in his Hands the Money still due to me, to pay for such Books...
184378Introductory Note: To Thomas Jefferson, [20–27 May 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
On March 5, 1792, George Hammond, the British Minister to the United States, submitted to Jefferson a detailed account of the failure of the United States to abide by the provisions of the treaty of peace of 1783. On May 29, Jefferson wrote an extensively documented reply to Hammond’s charges. Jefferson had completed the draft of his letter to Hammond by May 15, 1792, but he delayed sending it...
184379Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The effectiveness of an army rests in large measure on the quality of its officers. GW recognized this truth. He held that only gentlemen should serve as officers, insisted that officers not fraternize with their men, and consistently encouraged officers to study to improve their martial skills. Major General Steuben’s military manual, which GW carefully reviewed during its creation, served as...
184380Treasury Department Circular to the Commissioners of Loans, 6 June 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of an enquiry made of me, I think it necessary to inform you that I consider the holders of Certificates received from the Government of any State in lieu of certificates of the federal debt, as having a right to subscribe those State Certificates to the Loan of the Assumed debt, and I consider the State as having a right to subscribe the continental Certificates which they have...
184381Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with Charles Everette, [ca. 23 February 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
Tho s Jefferson to Charles Everett. D r 1810. Feb. 23. amputating negro’s great toe, dressing E t c £ –2– 8–0 Daily dressings, medicine E t c negro’s
184382Protest of Bills of Exchange, 16 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
M r . Jay says that when he accepted the Bills hereunto annexed, he had good reason to expect to be supplied with the funds necessary to pay them; That he has been disappointed in the Expectations he was encouraged to entertain on this Subject, and that his Endeavors to obtain Monies for the purpose both here and elsewhere, have been unsuccessful, although the Bills which remain to be paid by...
184383Enclosure B: [List of Petitions for Compensation for Transportation], [16 April 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
List of petitions for compensation for transportation during the late War. Petition of Christian Knipe. John Smyth Petition of Nathaniel Tracy, and Roger McLean For receipt of these petitions by the House, see Journal of the House , I Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington, 1826), I. , 391, 518, 374, 503.
184384To James Madison from an Unidentified Correspondent, 31 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
“Nothing sells high but land which is kept up to an extravagant price from the particular situation of that article. All the valuable land in the State is either forfeited to Govt or in the hands of individuals who calculate on this situation, & do not expect a sale of the forfeited lands for many years, when they will have disposed of their land, at a high price to the Emigrants to this...
184385Spain’s Finances and the Bills Drawn on John Jay Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Although Jay continued to hope that Spain would be able to loan him the funds needed to cover the bills Congress had drawn on him, Spain’s ability to raise funds to cover its own needs had been frustrated by its lenders’ refusal to accept repayment in vales reales . During the resulting crisis, full-blown by the end of August 1780, Floridablanca had ignored Jay’s requests for a meeting and, on...
184386From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 9 May 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have been so busy that I have not had time to go to the Customhouse about your Salary, since mine of Feby. 26. (but will now do it soon) nor to write to you since I saw the Bishop, which was some time after he receiv’d your Letters. He express’d a Pleasure in hearing of and from his Relations, enquir’d in what manner he could send Letters to you, and...
184387The Supreme Court: Procedures and Cases: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Article III of the United States Constitution, dealing with matters judicial, provided that the judicial power of the United States be vested in a Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress shall establish. The Supreme Court was to have original jurisdiction “in cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls”, and those in which a State is a party. In all other cases...
184388Introductory Note: To Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, [16 December 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
On December 16, 1793, the Speaker of the House of Representatives “laid before the House a Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, requesting that a new inquiry into his official conduct may be instituted, in some mode most effectual for an accurate and thorough investigation; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.” Because of Republican criticism of the manner in which the 1793...
184389The Washingtons in Barbados (Washington Papers)
The arrival at Bridgetown, on Carlisle Bay, is not well documented because pages are missing from the diary at this point. There are no collateral data such as newspaper listings of shipping arrivals, for not a single copy of the Barbados Gazette for 1751 is known to exist. The first two diary entries after the Washingtons disembarked are supplied by Jared Sparks, who obviously saw them while...
184390Enclosure: Conrad Hanse’s Account, 29 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson, esquire, 1801. To Conrad Hanse Dr. Augt. 29. To a new plain, well-finished Chariot , with plated Dolls. Harness for 4 Horses, and 2 postillion Saddles. 1206 MS ( DLC ); in unknown hand. In a statement of TJ’s account, John Barnes entered at 18 Sep. a payment to Hanse of $1,000 for the chariot (statement of private account from John Barnes, 30 Sep., in ViU ;
184391The Jay Treaty: Appointment and Instructions: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Jay was selected as envoy extraordinary to Great Britain after two previous missions to London had failed and after Washington decided against the three other men he had considered as possible appointees. Of all the candidates, Jay was the most experienced in diplomacy. As his confirmation process would reveal, however, he was as controversial as any of the others, particularly in the South...
184392The Case of Cadwallader Colden II Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
One of the most influential Loyalists imprisoned by the New York authorities was Cadwallader Colden II (1722–97), son of the former lieutenant governor. Although he repeatedly insisted that he be classified as a neutral, Colden felt himself bound by his oath to the king and was openly hostile to the notion of independence. If left at large, many Whigs believed he could become a focal point for...
184393From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [10 May 1766] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), p. 275. I like the project of a colony in the Ilinois country, and will forward it to my utmost here. The original letter has not been found. On the relationship between this extract and those immediately above and below, see the headnote to the one...
184394The Dancing Assembly: An Invitation to a Duel Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Dancing assemblies, which were generally held every two weeks during the fall and winter, had been a regular feature of the New York social season since as early as 1740. The city’s most fashionable residents patronized these subscription parties, and John Jay was naturally among those who attended. By 1772 he had become one of the three managers, along with John Reade and Robert R....
184395To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Kent, 19 January 1766 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With a pleasing pride I often recollect, your former complaisance in calling me Brother Ben and agreable to the Old saying non Animam Mutant, qui trans mare Currunt. I still challenge the Honour of being your Friend: but I should be but a miserable private Friend, If I was not the Friend of all men: and it is from that, principle, as well an especial Love...
184396John Jay and the Constitutional Convention of 1787: Editorial Note (Jay Papers)
Although not in attendance at the meeting convened at Annapolis in September 1786 for the ostensible purpose of resolving interstate commercial disputes, Jay anticipated by almost a month the address to the states drafted by Alexander Hamilton and adopted on 14 September. That address called upon all the states to send commissioners to a new convention at Philadelphia in May 1787 to discuss...
184397Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
E ditorial N ote The Society of the Cincinnati was instituted at Fishkill-on-Hudson on 13 May 1783 when a group of army officers adopted an Institution (or constitution) based on a draft drawn up by Henry Knox the month before. On 19 June 1783 the founders of the society elected GW its president. Although GW signed the Institution, he appears to have done nothing about the society until 23...
184398Appendixes Nos. XXV–XL: Letters from various authors, 5 July 1797–21 July 1797 (Hamilton Papers)
XXV To James Monroe July 5, 1797 XXVI To Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, James Monroe, and Abraham Venable December 17, 1792 XXVII From Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg December 18, 1792 XXVIII From James Monroe December 20, 1792 XXIX From Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg July 10, 1797 XXX From Abraham Venable July 9, 1797 XXXII From James Monroe
184399Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The following opinions concerning the defense of Philadelphia and the Delaware River apparently were solicited by GW on or before 6 Aug. 1777, when the first one was written, although no direct evidence has been found of GW requesting the opinions, or that the matter was discussed in a formal council of war. GW used these opinions and referred to them when writing to John Hancock on the...
184400Enclosure: [Observations on “An Act for Regulating the Military Establishment of the United States”], [27 January 1794] (Hamilton Papers)
By the Act of Congress 30th. April 1790. The commissioned officers are allowed to receive their daily rations in provisions , “or money in lieu thereof at the option of the said officers at the contract price at the posts respective where the rations shall become due.” By this latitude granted to the officers, the Accountant finds it difficult to ascertain whether the officers have drawn or...